Form



Jam, 27. 1925.

w. M. VENABLEY FORM FiledMay 24, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WI'I NESS Jan,27. I925. 1,524,325

. w. M. VENABLE FOR-M Filed May 24, 1922 2 SheetS- -Sheet 2 PatentedJan. 27,. 1925,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. VENABLE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BLAW-KNOXCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FORM.

Application filed May 24, 1922. Serial No. 563,318.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MAYO VEN- ABLE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inForms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to forms foruse in the construction of tunnels,culverts, and the like. It is an important object of the invention thatone length of the form may be collapsed and shifted along throughsimilar lengths already set up in working position,so that as thetunnelling advances, lengths on which the concrete tunnel lining hasalready hardened may be carried forward through lengths on which thelining is not yet hard, and used to mold the lining further ahead, Otherobjects and advantages will appear from the description, hereinafter, ofthe best embodiment of the invention at present known.

In the drawings,cFig. 1 shows a crosssection through the tunnel site,and affords an end view of a form length set up in working positionready for the molding of tunnel lining about it, and also of a travellerfor shifting and placing the form lengths.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal mid-section through the parts and mechanismsillustrated in Fig. 1.

The form shown comprises, for each length, a curved top section A and acouple of partly curved side sections B so mounted and attached to thesecti A, at its lateral extremities, that they m y be swung inwardtoward the center of the tunnel to collapse the form for transfer,--inthe manner indi cated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. As shown, the sectionsA, B are stiffened laterally by curved channel frames or ribs 5 and 6,which are connected and spaced apart by fore and aft members. Theexterior walls of the form are completed by appropriately curved platesattached to the channels 5, 6, and are stiffened with fore and aft anglebars 7. The top form section A is braced transversely by cross braces C,interconnecting the lateral extremities of the section. As

gether are attached to the channel ribs 5 and 6. Outward movement of theside sec-, tions B in setting up the form is limited by stop means hereshown as comprising bracket plates 14 attached to the ribs 6 and havingcurved slots (concentric with the hinges 12) in which are engaged boltsor pins 16 in the ends of the horizontal members 8. To expand orcollapse the form the side sections B may be moved outward or inward bymeans of eXpan-sible and collapsible lateral bracing means D, ofturnbuckle construction, connectcd between said side sections and thelower ends of the uprights 9. In the surface plates or panels 'of theform, between the ribs 5, 6, are hinged doors 17 throu h which concretemay be placed aroun the form from the working platform E resting on thecross braces C. As shown, there is ample headroom for working betweenthe platform E and the form top or roof.

For conveying and setting up the form lengths, there may be employed atraveller here shown as comprising a main frame structure F mounted onwheels 21, and also an elevator framework G raisable above the rest ofthe traveller. As shown, the rectangular frames F and G are of quitesimilar construction, and are each suitably braced and rendered rigid bydiagonals 22 and gussets 23. The upright channels and lates 24, 25 whichform the corners of the ame F are arranged to form angular guideways forthe frame G, whose corners consist of upright angle bars 26. For raisingand lowering the elevator G, chain block tackles 27 may be mounted atthe four corners of the frame F, on its uppermost cross-members 28, andthe chain ends may be attached to the horizontal members 29 of theelevator G. As shown, the uppermost longitudinal members 30 of theelevator G are extended fore .and aft, so as to afford bearing for allthe cross braces C of each form length. The centers of the frames F andG are conveniently open and clear, both fore and aft and vertically.

When the-form is set up in working position, as shown in full lines, thesides B are spread apart so as to rest on shoring or timbering H at thesides of the tunnel, and the whole form is firmly and rigidl braced,transversely, by the cross-braces and the turnbuckles D, quiteindependently of the traveller and its elevator. Under this condition,the form maybe lifted and supported independently of the traveller, onthe timbering H, by means of wedges 31 interposed between the timberingand the lower edge of the form sides B. When the form is to be collapsedand transferred, the elevator G may be raised to engage the braces C andlift the weight of the form 011' the 'timbering H. Thereupon the wedges31 may be knocked 'out, and the form sides B thus released so that theycan be swung inward toward the traveller and the center of the tunnel,clear of the timbering H I vertically. Thus collapsed, the form may belowered by means of the elevator G until it occupies substantially theposition indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Under this condition, itwill be seen, there is ample space and clearance for movement of a formlength collapsed and lowered on the travel- ,ler beneath form lengthsset up in place.

I claim:

1. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section, with a cross-bracetherefor substantially above a diameter of the form curve; and sidesections hinged to said top section; said form when in positionpermitting passage therethrough past its said cross-brace of anothersimilar form collapsed.

2. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section, with a cross braceinterconnecting and bracing its lateral extremities substantially abovea diameter. of the form curve; curved side sections hinged to said topsection; and means interconnected between top and side sectionsforexpanding or collapsing the latter; said form when in positionpermitting passage therethrough of another similar form collapsed.

3. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section, with a cross-bracetherefor substantially therebelow and above a diameter of the formcurve; and side sections hinged to said top section above the horizontalmember of saidcross-brace;- said form when in position permittingpassage therethrough past its said cross-brace of another similar formcollapsed.

4. A collapsible self-supportin tunnel form comprising a substantial yrigid curved top section having a cross-brace sub- ,stantiallytherebelow and above a diameter of the form curve; curved side sectionshinged to said top section above the horizontal member of saidcross-brace; and expansible and collapsible lateral bracing meansconnected between said cross-brace and said side sections, for movingthe latter outward and inward; said form when in position permittingpassage therethrough past its said cross-brace of another similar formcoll lapsed.

5. A tunnel form comprising a curved top section with working doorstherein, and a cross-brace interconnecting the lateral extremities ofsaid section, with headroom for working between them, substantiallyabove a diameter of the form curve; and curved side sections hinged tosaid top section above the horizontal member of said cross brace; saidform when in position permitting passage therethrough of another similarform collapsed.

'6. Tunnel form apparatus comprising a traveller with a form-supportingelevator structure raisable above the rest of the traveller; and aplurality of tunnel forms adapted to be moved along on said travellerand raised by its elevator into working position; the individual formcomprising a top section, side sections hinged thereto for swinginginward from working position, and means interconnected between top andside sections for expanding or collapsing the latter, said form beingcapable, when lowered by the traveller elevator and collapsed as setforth, of being conveyed by the traveller through other similar formsset up in working position.

7. Tunnel form apparatus comprising a traveller with a form-supportingelevator structure raisable above the rest of the traveller; and aplurality of tunnel forms adapted to be moved along on said travellerand raised by its elevator into working-position; the individual formcomprising a top section, a cross-brace therefor substantiallytherebelow, and curved side sections hinged to said top section forswinging inward from working position, said form being copable. whenlowered by the traveller elevator and collapsed as set forth, of beingconveyed by the traveller through other similar forms set up in workingposition.

8. Tunnel form apparatus comprising a traveller with a form-supportingelevator structure raisable above the rest of the traveller; and aplurality of tunnel forms adapted to be moved along on saidtravellersection, a cross-brace interconnecting the collapsed as setforth, of being conveyed by lateral extremities of said section, and thetraveller through other similar forms set curved side sections hinged tosaid top secup in working position.

tion above the horizontal member of said In testimonywhereof, I havehereunto 5 cross-brace for swinging inward from worksigned my name.

ing position, and the form being'icapable, c

When lowered by the traveller elevator and VYILLIAM M. VENABLE.

